Diagnosis of previously unidentified haemophilia A in a patient following routine endoscopic sinus surgery

Procedures in the field of head and neck surgery can be complicated by haemorrhage and post-operative bleeding. Whilst it is commonplace to screen for coagulopathies in the pre-operative period, rare congenital bleeding disorders can be difficult to detect and can have significant consequences. We report a case of post-operative bleeding following routine sinus surgery due to an undiagnosed case of haemophilia A in a 65-year-old male. •The prevalence of undiagnosed bleeding disorders in the community is poorly understood.•Unidentified bleeding disorders pose a risk of hemorrhage and post-surgical bleeding.•Surgeons should remain aware of the risk of undiagnosed coagulopathies and consider referral to a hematologist for post-operative bleeding.